Loew's Jersey Theatre
54 Journal Square,
Jersey City,
NJ
07306
54 Journal Square,
Jersey City,
NJ
07306
98 people
favorited this theater
Showing 751 - 775 of 1,509 comments
It really sounds its going to be a great event. I really wish I could be there to see it. Anyway I’ll be at the Loews the following week for the Otto Preminger films.
To clarify, according to the FOTL website, this is the only ANNIVERSARY-YEAR screening scheduled for the NYC metro area (another anniversary screening, presented by AMPAS, recently took place at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA). If there is, in fact, a second screening scheduled (sometime in the future) for the NYC area, I can find NO mention of it anywhere. Since FOTL obtained a special 35mm print for their screening, perhaps they could tell you where it will be shown next.
This local news article from the Jersey City Reporter (10/27/2007) provides detailed information about the much-anticipated 80th anniversary screening at Loew’s Jersey. (Hudson Reporter online)
Here is an excellent article that originally appeared in the Jewish Journal online (9/21/2007) with background and history about the film itself. (“All About Jewish Theatre†Website).
This commentary offers further critical analysis and a fantastic nighttime photograph of Warners’ Theatre where the movie premiered on October 6th, 1927. (“Alternative Film Guide†website)
A quick Internet search of other sites indicates that this anniversary seems to be getting a lot of publicity and interest – it should be a big event!
Since I’m going to be out of town on Nov.10 I will unfortunatly miss seeing the Jazz Singer. When and where is the other screening scheduled in the NYC area?
Just announced – upcoming November film programs…
Al Jolson’s “The Jazz Singer†(1927) â€" Special 80th Anniversary Screening:
Nov. 10th (Saturday), 7:30 p.m.
The movie that changed Hollywood forever with the introduction of sound, this is the first of ONLY two anniversary-year screenings scheduled for the entire NYC metropolitan area – a RARE opportunity to see this historic film on the BIG screen.
With commentary by Ron Hutchinson of The Vitaphone Project.
The Films of Otto Preminger:
Nov. 16th (Friday)
8:00 p.m.: “Where the Sidewalk Ends†(1950) (book signing 7:00-7:55 p.m.)
Nov. 17th (Saturday)
4:00 p.m.: “Angel Face†(1952) (book signing 3:00-3:55 p.m.)
8:30 p.m. “Laura†(1944) (book signing 7:30-8:25 p.m.)
With film discussions, audience Q&A sessions, and book signings by Foster Hirsch, film professor at Brooklyn College, and author of the new biography “Otto Preminger: The Man Who Would Be Kingâ€.
Visit http://www.loewsjersey.org for further information and/or updates.
Info about the Wonder Morton is at www.gstos.org/wonder.htm
Attendance at the 7 p.m. showing of “Frankenstein†on Saturday night was the best that I have personally seen since I began visiting this theatre 18 months ago (March of 2006) â€" the center orchestra seats were crowded from the stage all the way to the rear rows – many families with young children were present, and their behavior was exemplary (quiet, courteous and respectful of others throughout the show). Attendance petered out somewhat for the 9 p.m. screening of “Bride of Frankenstein†with a mostly adult audience remaining.
The presentation was first-rate for both features. What I love about this theatre is how its ambience and décor work so well with certain types of movies. It provides a setting that allows these classic horror films to “shine†and look their best. With the house lights completely darkened, the interior takes on a sullen, gray, almost “lifeless” appearance – the glow from the screen gets “caught†on the ornately textured walls, the old carved and creviced surfaces casting gloomy shadows. These visual sensations, along with the sound echoing off of the walls, create a moody, “hollow†atmosphere reminiscent of a setting associated with haunting and suspense.
I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to hear the restored “Wonder Morton†organ put through its paces (although it looks impressive enough just sitting on display). For me, the ultimate classic Halloween cinematic experience would be to watch a silent film such as “Phantom of the Opera†on that huge screen while the theatre organ majestically plays on, filling this tremendous space with energy and excitement.
“Frankenstein” and “Bride of Frankenstein” last night were both excellent presentations. Hard to explain why, but that wonderful echo the Loew’s Jersey adds to a movie’s dialogue, especially movies like those two, really makes it something special.
It sounded great although all the sound seemed to come from the right side of the theatre. I was sitting in about the seventh row off the center asle. Maybe they are still working on the organ pipes on the left side of the theatre.
If anyone heard it, how was the organ?! Nice and loud I hope!
Apologies to Alto – didn’t see your most detailed listing.
bobmarshall
And check out their “Spend Halloween with Boris Karloff"
– two classic non-Frankenstein films.
Bobmarshall
And another reminder tommorrow and Saturday.
Friday Oct. 5th at 8pm “A Streetcar Named Desire”
Saturday Oct. 6th at 6pm “Bonnie and Clyde"
Saturday Oct. 6th at 8:45pm "Cool Hand Luke”
More great movies in October…â€Halloween with Boris Karloff a jam-packed weekend!
Friday, October 26th â€" special double feature (one screening)…
7:45 PM / 9:10 PM: The Black Cat / The Old Dark House
Admission (for both): $9-adults; $6-seniors, children age 12 or younger.
No combo discounts available.
Saturday, October 27th – three “spooktacular” single features in one day…
3:00 PM: “The Mummy†— 7:00 PM: “Frankenstein†— 8:45 PM: “The Bride of Frankensteinâ€
Admission (for each screening): $6-adults; $4-seniors, children age 12 or younger.
Combo discounts are available for multiple screenings.
Off-street paid parking (behind the theatre at the end of Magnolia Ave.): Square Ramp Garage offers discount rates exclusively for theatre customers who present special “half-price parking†vouchers (available at theatre box office, valid only on dates indicated). Garage is handicapped-accessible.
Any chance of 40th anniversary showings of “2001” and “Planet of the Apes” at the Jersey in 2008?
Uh-oh – the streetcar was “named” Desire.
The Loew’s has announced their first shows of the season, with 5 Oscar-winning performances between them:
The Anti-Heroes
Friday October 5th, 8PM: “A Streetcar Naned Desire"
Saturday October 6th, 6 PM: "Bonnie and Clyde"
Saturday October 6th, 8:45 PM: "Cool Hand Luke”
When the jersey got triplexed in the early 1970’s, how many seats did each auditorium have and which sound formats did they have in each? Also, was the theater one of the most profitable for Loews during that time from 1974-1986, even as the company worked on newer theaters like the theaters in Wayne and Secaucus, which opened four years before the oldest Loews theater in North Jersey closed for nearly two decades before getting restored to its single screen glory by some non-profit people? I hope the same thing happens to the long-vacant Franklin theater in Nutley, which is still there and badly needs restoration after it closed in 2000.
While the Loew’s Jersey is indeed a beautiful theater, I don’t believe that it rivals the beauty of the other Loew’s wonder theaters, The Paradise, The Valencia, the 175th Street and, having been inside the ruins and seeing how spectacular the theater still is, The Kings in Brooklyn. To see a truly spectacular movie palace in prime condition in Manhattan, you should get to The Hollywood theater on W. 51st Street which is now a church. I believe that it too outrivals the Jersey in beauty.
p.s. I do believe the Jersey is a great and wonderful palace. I just think that, if one was to rank them, for me it would be last.
I have attended some old movies theaters in the Greater New York City area in my youth in the 70’s, but never one of this design. After viewing the photos of the Loew’s Jersey City, I now know what a real movie palace looks like, and the good folks who restored and now care for this gem should be commended for their efforts, congratulations Friends of The Lowe’s Jersey City.
I don’t think the person who set up the introductory credit was doing so with a great deal of particular intent. I think they simply knew the names of the two famous principals and listed them.
There is no doubt that the building was designed by the firm of Rapp & Rapp. The identity of the particular people within the firm who worked on this project is a subject that would require research.
The Loew’s Jersey theatre is in possession of most, if not all, of the original blueprints for the theatre which list Rapp & Rapp as the architects. Though it would require inspecting the blueprints for the date of the draft and the designer of record for that plate, it is not inconceivable to reason that C.W. Rapp was involved in the design the theatre, even if he was not alive to see it completed. The theatre certainly bears the style of firm.
Actualy there is a new 70mm print of Mad World that played at the Cinerama Dome in all it’s Original Ultra Panavision glory about a year ago. It was introduced by Mrs Stanley Kramer. Too bad they wern’t able to show that print as it was stunning and even had the 6 track stereo mix. plus the police call intermission. As many of the people who are still alive came to the showing… it was a great evening of fun. I even managed to get an autograph from one of my favorite people… Stan Freberg.
Matt Spero
GabeDF: After a 10-tear restoration by the GSTOS, the gigantic Loew’s Jersey Robert Morton “Wonder” Organ is now playing, and will be going through several months of tuning and testing before its public unveiling this Fall. Watch for the announcements in a month or two. Gonna be GREAT!
The Cinerama “Road Show” version of Mad World no longer exists. While some of the footage still exists, not nearly all of it. The “extended” LaserDisc from years ago was NOT closer to the Cinerama Road Show version. The LaserDisc’s extra footage contained mostly scene trims and alternate takes that were cut with good reason, they didn’t work. You can tell what (little) footage from the Cinerama Roadshow is on the LaserDisc, because they didn’t bother to properly unsqueeze it. The center of those scenes are more squeezed than the left/right sides.
At present time, no new 35mm or 70mm prints have been struck that includes any of the road show footage.
The DVD is nice but not the finest transfer. The long out-of-print wide screen laser disc returns the film closer to the Cinerama running time. The standard exchange print and DVD is around the 154-161 minutes running time.